Chad Michael Morrisette is now famous as the West Hollywood resident to have decorated his house for Halloween with macabre effigies of Republicans Sarah Palin and John McCain, to the discontent of his neighbors and local authorities.

The professional window display designer came up with an original idea for this year’s Halloween decorations and included among the spider-web and skeletal ornaments a mannequin resembling Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, dressed in similar fashion, with her trademark beehive hairdo and eyeglasses. The disturbing part of the effigy was that the mannequin was hung by its neck with a noose from the house’s eaves.

Another mannequin, this time resembling Republican presidential nominee John McCain, protruded from the chimney, surrounded by fake flames.

Morrisette’s display attracted a lot more attention, by his account more than he had expected, with many neighbors contacting the sheriff’s department to report a hate crime. Local authorities were soon investigating the case, with Steve Whitmore, spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, saying the scene does not “rise” to the level of hate crime, upsetting as it may be for some passers-by.

West Hollywood Mayor Jeffrey Pang issued a statement shortly thereafter, urging Morrisette to remove the controversial displays and find “more constructive ways” to express his opinions, without referencing violence.

Authorities stated that Morrisette had broken no law and that he was covered by his free speech rights. The displays could be considered political satire. Morrisette himself told the media that he considered the effigies to be Halloween “art.”

Within days, the US Secret Service became involved in the case, with agents traveling to Morrisette’s home to investigate. They said he had violated no law.

Morrisette finally gave in though, removing the effigy of the Alaska governor because it caused too much trouble.  The mannequin mimicking McCain is to be taken down as well.